India vs Bangladesh Highlights 2nd Test Day 2: Play called off due to rain in Kanpur

The second day's play was called off in India's weather-plagued second Test against Bangladesh without a ball being bowled, following intermittent rain in Kanpur on Saturday.

Rain and a wet outfield had allowed only 35 overs of play on Friday and the start of the second day's play was also delayed by inclement weather.

The on-again, off-again rainfall kept the covers on and the umpires decided to call off play with Bangladesh, bidding for a series-levelling victory, stuck on 107-3 in their first innings.

While the weather is likely to improve slightly on Sunday, a draw looms over the contest in view of the time lost to rain.

India, who won the opening Test in Chennai by 280 runs, need a draw to register their record-extending 18th consecutive Test series victory on home soil.

Persistent rain again prevented play as the morning session on day two of the second test between India and Bangladesh was washed out.

Morning showers Saturday meant that the Green Park stadium stayed under covers with not a single ball bowled. Lunch was taken as scheduled with Bangladesh unchanged at 107-3 in 35 overs in its first innings.

All 35 overs were bowled on day one, which was also marred by rain.

* It's 80% chance of rain today

* It drops down to 59% chance of rain for tomorrow

* Looks like Monday and Tuesday are the best days for action during this match

The two teams have arrived at the venue. Few of the Indian team members are seen in their dressing room balcony, including Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Bangladesh players still have their bags on the shoulders as they check the conditions from the dressing room. The covers are firmly in place and there's no activity by the groundsmen.

There was a forecast for 'thunderstorms with 51% chance for rain' at 9 and 10 am today. But the forecast gets a bit better if you look at after that. From 11 am onwards, the 'thunderstorms' forecast changes to 'mostly cloudy' with decreasing chances of rain. Fingers crossed!

The weather forecast for next two hours (at 9 am and 10 am today) shows - Thunderstorms with 51% chance of rain.

India are favoured to sweep the two-match series after winning the opener in Chennai by 280 runs and extend their advantage at the top of the World Test Championship rankings.

The match could be the last Test outing for former Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan, who announced his impending international retirement on Thursday.

Bangladesh ex-captain Shakib, 37, announced his international retirement and could be playing his last Test match if he is unable to return home for a slated South Africa series.

Shakib is a former lawmaker for the party of ousted premier Sheikh Hasina and has stayed away from Bangladesh due to the threat of criminal charges levelled against him and dozens of her former allies.

Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has now become the Indian bowler with the most Test wickets in Asia.

On Friday, during the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, Ashwin claimed the wicket of Najmul Hossain Shanto, taking his tally to 420 wickets in Asia. This achievement saw him surpass the previous record held by Anil Kumble, who had 419 wickets in the continent.

Ashwin's career in Test cricket has been nothing short of stellar. In 102 Test matches, he has taken a total of 523 wickets. His performance in Asia has been particularly impressive. By reaching 420 wickets, he joins an elite club of bowlers who have taken over 400 wickets in Asia.

India, who lead the two-match series 1-0, elected to field in overcast conditions and fast bowler Akash Deep vindicated captain Rohit Sharma's decision with two wickets in the first hour of play.

He removed openers Zakir Hasan, caught out for a duck, and Shadman Islam, trapped lbw on 24, with his seaming deliveries to the left-handers.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who made 31, put on 51 runs with Mominul to play out the remainder of the first session, but first-match hero Ravichandran Ashwin broke the stand after lunch.

Off-spinner Ashwin, who hit a century and took six wickets in India's opening win, took down Najmul lbw with a turning delivery from around the wicket.

The hosts have come in unchanged with three seamers, who have regularly troubled the opposition batsmen with plenty of deliveries beating the bat.

Bad light followed by heavy rain ended play before tea on day one of the second Test between India and Bangladesh in Kanpur with the visitors 107-3 on Friday.

Mominul Haque, on 40, and Mushfiqur Rahim, on six, were batting when dark clouds made visibility tough and umpires took the players off the ground after lunch.

Dim light turned into heavy rain and officials called off play after the covers were laid out, with more downpours forecast for Saturday in the northern Indian city.

The weather report still shows more rain today in Kanpur, which is not a good sign for the match. Fans will be hoping for action to continue uninterrupted as India look for early wickets in the second day of the second Test against Bangladesh at Green Park.